Team-by-team FUFA Super League guide

Cranes striker Frank Kalanda.

The newly promoted Bright Stars will not find the going that easy in top flight football.
The newly promoted Bright Stars will not find the going that easy in top flight football.

Uganda League defending champions KCCA FC open their campaign against arch-rivals SC Villa tomorrow at Nakivubo Stadium.

Fresh from winning the Uganda Super Cup where they beat SC Victoria University last week, the KCCA FC side has vowed to start well.

“We have prepared well and hope to start with a win. We do not underrate SC Villa, but we are hungry to start with a win,” said KCCA FC coach George Nsimbe.

Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, who skippered Uganda Cranes to qualification for the 2014 CHAN event, is expected to lead the KCCA FC side together with Brian Majwega and new signing Steven Bengo, who will be facing his former employers.

“I want to continue scoring more goals like I did last season,” KCCA FC’s striker Herman Wasswa, who finished as the league’s top scorer last season, told MTNFootball.com.

Ronald Muganga is expected to lead SC Villa, who finished in fourth place last season.

The other matches on the card tomorrow will see Masaka LC, who finished ninth last season, battle coach Duru Chukuma’s Vipers FC at recreation ground in Masaka.

The third game on the fixture list will see newly promoted sides Soana FC and CRO face-off.

FUFA Super League The 2013/2014 FUFA Super League kicks off August 20th, and we present you a guide ahead of explosive action between the 16 teams.

BIDCO FC: They will be another team to watch as they hope to improve on their 7th place finish last season.

But their coach Kefa Kisala, also the national team second assistant coach, says his striking line remains his biggest head-ache as they start the season.

Although they have a disciplined back-line, the Kakindu-based team, which boosts of a big sponsor Bidco Limited, must strive to get regular scorers.

Prediction: They are capable of finishing in the top nine, just outside the top five.

BRIGHT STARS FC:  The newly promoted side will not find the going that easy in top flight football.

But the signing of former national team midfielder and professional Livingstone as the new coach could bring surprises.

The team has also acquired the services of ex-Cranes left back Abubakar Tabula, who will team up with Jamil Kyambadde, another former national team star.

However, they will have lots to learn in top flight football as majority of their squad in not very exposed.

Prediction: They will most likely finish above 10th place.

CRO FC: The going will certainly not be that easy for another newly promoted side.

But signing former KCCA FC coach Matia Lule could just help them on the way round to avoid slipping back to the lower Division.

Prediction: They will finish outside the top ten.

Former KCCA FC coach Matia Lule could just help CRO on the way round to avoid slipping back to the lower Division.
Former KCCA FC coach Matia Lule could just help CRO on the way round to avoid slipping back to the lower Division.

ENTEBBE FC:  With the departure of seasoned coach Frank ‘Video’ Anyau, the Entebbe town-based team, who were ‘giant killers’ last season, might not find the going easy this time.

They will definitely struggle to attain the sixth place finish they managed last season.

The team has brought on board former Uganda Cranes midfielder James Odoch as the new coach.

Prediction: They will most likely finish slightly below 10th place.

EXPRESS FC: The former league champions, who only managed an 11thplace finish last season, should perform better this season.

After signing former Entebbe FC coach Frank ‘Video’ Anyau, the experienced tactician should be able to turn the team around.

Led by skipper Willy Kavuma, the youthful team should perform better this season.

Prediction: They will likely finish in the top five places.

KCCA FC: They have what it takes to retain the league trophy.

Under head coach George Nsimbe they have started the season in style by winning the Uganda Super Cup and have vowed to perform well as they prepare for the CAF Orange Champions League next year. With thelikes of Brian Majwega, new signing Steven Bengo, Richard Malinga and last season’s top scorer Herman Wasswa, the KCCA FC side is the team that has what it takes to retain the trophy.

Prediction: They have the capacity to finish top.

Brain Majwega and KCC have what it takes to retain the league trophy.
Brain Majwega and KCC have what it takes to retain the league trophy.

KIRA YOUNG: Under the watchful eyes of former Cranes skipper George Ssemogerere, the Kira-based team, who finished eighth in their first season in top flight football, have what it takes to perform even better.

But Ssemogerere says he is targeting the top four positions.

Prediction: They will be good for eighth position.

MASAKA LC FC: The Masaka town-based team has over the years made good use of their home ground, but will have to improve on their attack as scoring is still their biggest problem.

They finished ninth last season and Coach Badru Ssenkayi predicts this is the season they will prove a point to those who doubt them.

Prediction: They could find themselves beyond 10th place as the season promises to be more competitive.

PROLINE FC: Under the watchful eyes of former Cranes star Steven Bogere, the youthful side could find the season even tougher after they traded some of their seasoned players to other teams.

The team has also been depleted after Patrick Edema and Razak Apollo left for trials in Portugal over a month ago.

But their coach Bogere has promised they will be out to be among the top five this time. They finished in 10th place last season.

Prediction: They are good for seventh place.

POLICE FC: They were lucky to survive relegation last season as the last three matches of the season guaranteed their stay in top flight football.

Handled by one of East Africa’s most decorated coaches, Sam Timbe, the team which belongs to the Police Force is expected to perform better than the 12th place finish last season.

Prediction: They could as well maintain a 12th place finish.

SC VICTORIA UNIVERSITY: This team has hunger to win and this was showed by their victory in the Kakungulu Cup, which they won in their first season in top flight football.

With talented Cranes players like Dennis Iguma, Savio Kabugo and ex-professional based in Serbia, Nestory Kizito, they have what it takes to challenge for the trophy.

Coach Alex Isabirye says after finishing fifth last season, he now wants the trophy.

Prediction: They are good for second or third position.

Savio Kabugo and SCVU finished fifth last season, he now wants the trophy.
Savio Kabugo and SCVU finished fifth last season, he now wants the trophy.

SC VILLA: The former giants, who have won more trophies in Ugandan football than any other team, have promised to show how strong they are this season.

They could spring a surprise with a coach from Europe.

But after the departure of star player Steven Bengo, the likes of Ronald Muganga will be over stretched to carry the team forward.

Prediction: They might finish fifth this time.

After Stephen Bengo's departure todefending champions KCC, Ronald Muganga will be over stretched to carry SC Villa forward.
After Stephen Bengo’s departure todefending champions KCC, Ronald Muganga will be over stretched to carry SC Villa forward.

SIMBA FC: After surviving relegation last season, the army side has promised to be a hard nut to crack in the new season.

Coach Fred Kajoba said they are challenging for the first six places this season.

Prediction: They are good for eighth place.

SOANA FC: The new team in top flight football will not find it easy as they have to depend on players who have not been well exposed.

They are surely going to work hard to remain in top flight football.

The likes of Mike Kalungi and Siraje Turyamuhebwa, who helped them to qualify for the Super League, are expected guide the team in search for goals.

Prediction: They are good for 15th place.

URA FC:  After finishing second last season, the URA FC side has what it takes to win the trophy.

They managed to reach the semifinals of the 2013 Cecafa Kagame Cup in Sudan and also performed well in pre-season matches in Tanzania.

The team has also signed Cranes striker Frank Kalanda from Express FC and he should bring about a difference.

Prediction: They are good for first or second place.

Cranes striker Frank Kalanda signed from Express FC  should bring about a difference at URA.
Cranes striker Frank Kalanda signed from Express FC should bring about a difference at URA.

VIPERS FC: Under Nigerian-born coach Duru Chukuma, Vipers FC have all it takes to challenge for the top two positions.

However, they also have to learn to be clinical in-front of goal.

Prediction: They could maintain third position.

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